Mobile, detachable, electronic gaming machine input control

ABSTRACT

An electronic gaming system has a) a first housing; b) a first video screen; c) a first processor with a game controller within the first housing; and d) first player input controls attached to the first housing. The first video screen is removable from the housing and the first video screen, and when detached contains a second processor in communication with the first processor and game controller within the housing. The second processor is configured to communicate gaming instructions to effect play of a wagering game through the first processor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic gaming machines with video displays, and electronic gaming machines with detachable video displays that retain active game-play communication with the electronic gaming machine after being detached from the electronic gaming machine.

2. Background of the Art

In the casino gaming environment, it is desirable to maximize length of time of gaming, and to provide comfort and mobility to players within the gaming establishment. Different gaming configurations, especially for electronic gaming machines have been developed, including table-top gaming systems, luxury chair gaming systems, massage chair gaming systems, surround sound gaming systems, and the like. Although these systems can assist in player stability at a specific location, people still move to have meals or refreshments. Players also tend to have preferred gaming devices and do not want to lose their control over specific gaming machines. To address this latter issue, casinos have enabled hand-held gaming devices that communicate with gaming machines from a distance. Some machines may be enabled by apps and software to communicate with machines to be able to make wagers in combination with play by third parties or by themselves.

Among these systems are those described in the following references.

US Patent Publication Document No. 20120252577 enabling a portable electronic device including: a memory for storing information including gaming information and location information; a display for displaying at least a portion of the information stored on the memory; a first data interface for communicating with a storage server and for transmitting gaming information to and receiving gaming information from the storage server; a second data interface for communicating with at least one other adjacent portable electronic device and for transmitting location information to and receiving location information from the at least one other portable electronic device wherein the information displayed on the display is dependent at least in part on the location information.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,529,342 shows that in a gaming system players are assigned individual gaming devices comprising electronic game boards. Players access their assigned gaming device via a gateway from a remote presentation device such as a player's computer. The gateway confirms the identity of each player so that a player may only access their assigned and dedicated gaming device. When linked, an assigned gaming device generates wagering game data for presentation upon the player's remote presentation device. A casino may provide a number of traditional gaming machines and a plurality of dedicated or assigned gaming devices which permit remote player play.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,576 describes methods and apparatus are described for distributing gaming applications to a plurality of gaming sites located in a plurality of regulatory regions via a wide area network. Each regulatory region has a regulatory scheme associated therewith. A plurality of gaming applications are stored on at least one central server. A subset of the gaming applications are distributed from the at least one central server to at least one of the gaming sites located in one of regulatory regions via the wide area network, the subset of gaming applications being determined according to the associated regulatory scheme.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,360,878 describes a gaming system enables a gamer to sequentially play primary and secondary games. The gaming system comprises a primary gaming apparatus having a bifurcated electronic (e.g. liquid crystal or organic light emitting diode) display and a secondary gaming apparatus positioned behind the bifurcated electronic display relative to the gamer. The bifurcated electronic display enables (1) primary gaming when in a closed position, and (2) secondary gaming when in an open position. In other words, the secondary gaming apparatus is viewable when the bifurcated electronic display opens. The primary gaming apparatus effects or provides visually perceptible substantially seamless primary game imagery across the junction of the bifurcated electronic display. Various alternative embodiments and gaining methods are further disclosed as being supporting of the essential gaming system.

Published US Patent Application Document No. 20130310176 describes a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for transferring credits from one gaming device to another via the use of coded scrip is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in the gaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquely identifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-out message comprising the code to a remote processor having access to a database configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality of gaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remote processor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scrip storage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer for reading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scrip retrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to a database for storing and retrieving code information from the plurality of gaming devices.

Published US Patent Application Document No. 20130281205 describes a portable, handheld device includes global positioning system (GPS) circuitry, a camera, a user interface configured to receive user inputs, the user interface including a display; wireless communication circuitry for mobile wireless communications, and a processing system configured to execute a program using a position determined by the GPS circuitry.

Newer technology is still desired to improve player satisfaction with mobile gaming. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electronic gaming system has a) a first housing; b) a first video screen; c) a first processor with a game controller within the first housing; and d) first player input controls attached to the first housing. The first video screen is removable from the housing and the first video screen, and when detached contains a second processor in communication with the first processor and game controller within the housing. The second processor is configured to communicate gaming instructions to effect play of a wagering game through the first processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an electronic gaming machine on which the present technology may be practiced.

FIG. 1A shows a schematic for an electronic system for enabling play of the gaming method described herein.

FIG. 1B shows another schematic for an electronic system for enabling play of the gaming method described herein.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an electronic gaming machine on which the present technology may be practiced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present technology relates to an electronic gaming system. The system can be used to play games on a primary gaming machine, basically similar to a standard electronic gaming machine with modifications and improvements described herein. The underlying gaming system has:

-   -   a first housing;     -   a first video screen;     -   a first processor with a game controller within the first         housing; and     -   first player input controls attached to the first housing.

The first video screen is removable from the housing and the first video screen, when detached contains a second processor in communication with the first processor and game controller within the housing. The first video screen is part of a portable or mobile system for control and exercise of game play on the underlying gaming system. The removed first video screen or display system acts as a mobile control system, preferably a primary or sole control system for the underlying gaming system both while attached and after it has been detached from the first housing. The second processor is configured with software and hardware to communicate gaming instructions to effect play of a wagering game through the first processor. This communication, as noted, may be while attached to the first housing or after removal from the first housing. The first video screen is initially (when attached to the first housing) electronically (wired or wireless) engaged with the first processor. There may be electronic connectors on the frame of the first video screen that engage electrical connectors (plates, plugs, snaps, busses, pins, etc.) in a an interior frame from which the first video screen was removed. It is to be noted that although the element is referred to as a “video screen,” this element is a fully operational electronic component with processor (the second controller) and player input controls (second player input controls).

The electronic gaming system may have the first video screen and second processor within a second housing that exercises sole control over gaming on the first processor when the second housing is detached from the first housing. The underlying gaming system may also allow secondary players to access game play on the same gaming machine (as by personal hand-held devices), but the first video screen/video display system (the removable, portable system referred to herein as a “Portable Electronic Screen Transported” system or PEST system) preferably has primary control over the underlying gaming system.

The electronic gaming system would preferably have signage or a second video screen fixed on the first housing indicating that distal control of the system is being performed on the electronic gaming system in the first housing. The screen may display gaming activity also. The electronic gaming system mah have the first video screen with touchscreen input controls (or some buttons, as to turn on power from a battery attached to the first screen system) and the second processor is in wireless communication with the first processor. The PEST system may be powered from the first housing when set or attached to the first housing, but must have portable power capability when detached. The battery would likely be rechargeable and be maintained at full charge and charged while engaged with the housing. When removed from the first housing, it is preferable that the battery in the PEST system is already “on” rather than having to turn it on and engage communication from the PEST system to the first processor. The PEST system, even when attached to the first housing may maintain a communication link with the first processor and game controller. That communication link from the PEST system, whether a hardwire (e.g., cable, electrical lead, wires, etc.) or a wireless link (e.g., wi-fi, Bluetooth™ system, or the like) should maintain communication link with the first processor when removed rather than have to establish or re-establish a communication link.

The electronic gaming system may operate by input from the PEST player input controls (e.g., touchscreen input controls) and the second processor. These may operate to direct wager amounts used in game play on the first processor and/or direct game activity on the first processor and game controller. Game activity may include, by way of non-limiting examples, wager amounts, payline selection, game start directions, game selection (from multiple available games), cash out options (e.g., ticket-in-ticket out, currency, coins, download to central casino server/processor or loyalty account), game strategy (paytable selection, card selection and discard, etc.) and other conventional gaming actions exercised by players.

The electronic gaming system may enable exclusive, primary or shared input from the touchscreen input controls and the second processor. It is preferred that the PEST system exercise exclusive direct game activity on the first processor and game controller and only shared access by other portable devices may be allowed.

The electronic gaming system may have the first video screen detachable only by authorization through a gaming establishment central processor. The level of security used on the ability of the first screen in the PEST system to be removed is at the discretion of the gaming establishment. The screen must have some security attached to even beyond theft prevention. When cabled to the system, the portability of the PEST system is too restricted. Internal, software and/or hardware security in which cards (e.g., loyalty cards, driver's licenses, credit cards) can be used for identification (but not necessarily credit transactions), biometric identification (fingerprints, retinal scans, facial recognition and/or voice recognition), PIN identification, encrypted communication, clearance through casino security, or any other intended security clearance procedures. The authorization preferably includes recognition through the gaming establishment central processor. There should be secure specific player identification within the gaming establishment central processor. It is further preferred that the first video screen (PEST system) is detachable only by authorization through a gaming establishment central processor. The electronic gaming system should have the authorization include recognition gaming establishment central processor of a specific player identification within the gaming establishment central processor.

A method of playing a wagering game on the electronic gaming system described herein of steps in which:

-   -   a) removing the first video display from the first housing;     -   b) inputting game activity directions through the second player         input control on the removed video display;     -   c) the game controller responding to input game activity         directions to the first processor in the first housing from the         second player input control; and     -   d) the first processor sending game resolution information to         the second processor.

Wireless communication between the PEST system and the first processor in the first housing is the preferred communication link. In various embodiments, a main control circuit in the PEST system may communicate with the player interface unit via wireless signals. Such wireless signals may include Bluetooth™ technology, Wi-Fi, cellular standards (e.g., GSM, PCS, CDMA), or any other wireless technologies. Further, the main control circuit may communicate with the player interface unit on the first processor in the first housing via one or more intermediary devices. For example, the main control circuit may transmit a wireless signal to a cellular phone tower. The tower may in turn retransmit the signal to the player interface unit. Similarly, the player interface unit may transmit a wireless signal to the cellular tower. The cellular tower may, in turn, retransmit the signal back to the main control circuit.

Player Interface is a preferably a wireless device. In various embodiments the player interface unit may include a wireless device. The player interface may include technology typically embedded in a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant or personal data assistant (PDA), a laptop, a pager, a music player (e.g., an Apple iPod), or any other device capable of wireless communication, but it is a device specific to the gaming system and preferably dedicated to the gaming system. Existing technology may be retrofit into the present gaming system by hardware adaptations and software connecting the modified device to the gaming system. For example, tablets, pads and the like may be retrofit into a gaming system or electronic gaming terminal to simplify manufacture of this system.

Mobile Gaming Device

As used herein, the term “mobile gaming device” is differentiated from the PEST system of the present technology. A mobile gaming device may refer to any device that is readily movable or portable and which allows for players to gamble on one or more of at least the following: (a) a game of chance; (b) a sporting contest; (c) a game of mixed chance and skill (e.g., blackjack); (d) a game of skill; (e) a slot machine game (e.g., a game of video slots); (f) a lottery game; (g) a game of cards (e.g., a game of poker); (h) a pull-tab game; (i) a game of bingo; (j) a natural event (e.g., the occurrence of a hurricane); (k) a political event (e.g., the winner of an election); (l) an event of popular culture (e.g., the date of a wedding between two celebrities); and so on. A mobile gaming device may be movable or portable in the sense that the average human would be able to transport the device without significant exertion and without the aid of heavy machinery. A typical mobile gaming device may be movable or portable in the sense that it is not, by design, locked, bolted, or tied down to the same location for extended periods of time (e.g., months). It is, however, contemplated that a mobile gaming device may be temporarily fixed into place (e.g., with locks or bolts) so that a human might physically interact with the device without risk that the device will be accidentally pushed, moved, toppled, etc. A mobile gaming device may include a processor for executing various programs, including programs for operating games, programs for communicating with other devices, programs for presenting advertisements, programs for presenting entertainment, and any other programs. A mobile gaming device may include memory for storing program data, for storing image data, for storing data about a player, for storing information about outcomes of games played on the mobile gaming device, for storing accounting data, and so on. A mobile gaming device may include various output devices. Such output devices may include a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display. The display screen may display images, videos, cartoons, animations, text, or any other feasible output. Output devices may include a speaker. The speaker may generate audio outputs. For example, the speaker may generate voice outputs, the sound of bells, the sound of engines, or any other sound. The speaker may generate vibrations. A mobile gaming device may include one or more input devices. The input devices may allow a player to interact with the mobile gaming device. The mobile gaming device may include buttons, keypads, roller balls, scrolling wheels, and so on. The mobile gaming device may include a touch screen which, e.g., can sense contact from a human's touch and/or from a stylus. The mobile gaming device may include a microphone for receiving audio inputs. The microphone may be used for receiving voice inputs. A mobile gaming device may include a card reader for receiving inputs from a magnetically striped card (e.g., from a credit card or player tracking card). A mobile gaming device may also include a smart card reader. A mobile gaming device may include a camera for capturing images or video. A mobile gaming device may include a biometric reader, such as a thumb-print reader or retinal scanner. A mobile gaming device may include a communications port. The communications port may include an antenna for broadcasting and/or for receiving electromagnetic signals, such as wireless signals. The communications port may include an optical communication mechanism, such as a laser or diode. The communications port may include an electric contact, which may interface to a wire, to a cable, or to the electronic contact of another device so as to create an electronic connection. The electronic connection may be used for purposes of communication and/or for the purposes of drawing power. A mobile gaming device may include a portion which is geometrically configured to fit into a docking area of another device. The other device may include a portion with a complementary geometrical configuration. When the mobile gaming device is docked into the other device, the mobile gaming device may communicate with such device and/or draw power from the device. For example, the mobile gaming device may upload game software from the other device or download information about player gambling activities to the other device. A mobile gaming device may include a power source, such as a battery or fuel cell. The mobile gaming device may further include a sensor for determining when power is low. The sensor may trigger an indicator, which may indicate an amount of power remaining. The mobile gaming device may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The tag may include a unique signature, and may allow other devices to recognize the presence of the mobile gaming device. For example, a sensor embedded in a door frame may detect a signal from an RFID tag embedded within a mobile gaming device and thereby recognize the presence of the mobile gaming device. In an example of its general operation, a mobile gaming device may receive an indication of a player identifier, such as from the swipe of a player tracking card through a magnetic card reader associated with the mobile gaming device. The mobile gaming device may wirelessly transmit the player identifier to a casino server. The casino server may transmit a confirmation signal back to the mobile gaming device, confirming that the player has adequate credits on account to engage in gambling activities. The mobile gaming device may receive a game initiation signal from a player, e.g., via one the buttons on the mobile gaming device. The mobile gaming device may then execute a game program to generate a random outcome, and present the random outcome to the player. For example, on its displays screen, the mobile gaming device may simulate the spinning of slot machine reels, which may be shown to stop with a particular outcome displayed centrally. The mobile gaming device may inform the casino server of the outcome of the game. The casino server may, accordingly, add or subtract credits from the player's account. It will be appreciated that there are many other ways in which a mobile gaming device may operate. A mobile gaming device may be a device such as a Blackberry™, iPod™ personal digital assistant, mobile phone, laptop computer, camera, personal computer, television, electronic book (eBook), and so on. A mobile gaming device may include a more general purpose device which is configured to allow gaming activity, e.g., through downloads of gaming related software to the device. A mobile gaming device may also include a special purpose device dedicated to gaming. A mobile gaming device may include a device as set forth in Nevada bill AB471.

Detection of One Device by Another

In various embodiments, such as when the gaming engine communicates with the player interface unit, two devices may communicate wirelessly. There may be a process by which one device detects another. Various embodiments described herein may refer to the interaction between a first device and a “nearby” second device. In various embodiments, the first device may take action if the second device is nearby. In various embodiments, the second device may take action if the first device is nearby. When terms such as “nearby”, “near”, “close”, “proximate”, “presence”, or the like are used, it will be understood that the first device may recognize the presence of the second device in various ways, that the second device may recognize the presence of the first device in various ways, that the first device may react to the presence of the second device in various ways, and that the second device may react to the first device in various ways. It may be noted that the first device may react to the presence of the second device without recognizing the presence of the second device if, for example, the first device is instructed to take an action by a third device which recognizes that the second device is near to the first device. In various embodiments, the first device and/or the second device may be in motion. For example, the first device may be moving (e.g., the first device may be carried by a walking person) while the second device may be stationary. The detection system may also be used as part of the security system, especially preventing physical theft of the PEST portable component (including the first screen). Movement of the device outside a defined limited range, or past electronic barriers positioned at exits of the gaming establishment can trigger a signal in the device itself, at the barrier, to a central security post, or at a central gaming establishment processor.

Various technologies may allow a first device to recognize and/or to react to the presence of a second device. Various technologies may allow a second device to recognize and/or to react to the presence of a first device. As used herein, the term “beacon” may refer to a device which generates a signal which may be used as a reference signal by another device or person, e.g., so that the other device may determine its own location or position. A beacon may emit a continuous, periodic, sporadic, or other type of signal. A beacon may emit a directed signal (e.g., a signal which is most easily detected by devices at a certain incident angle to the beacon) or the beacon may emit a signal of equal strength in all directions. A beacon may emit a signal when triggered by the presence of another device, or may emit a signal independently of other events. A beacon may have, as its sole function, the broadcast of a reference signal. A beacon may serve as a beacon only incidentally. For example, a light bulb may incidentally serve as a beacon even though its primary purpose may be to light a room. A beacon may be natural (e.g., the sun) or man-made. A beacon may emit light, sound, radio waves, microwaves, odors, or any other form of signals.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags or transponders are devices, generally small, that can transmit signals and/or redirect signals, and use such signals as a means for providing identification. The transmitted or redirected signals are generally radio waves. Signals which are transmitted or redirected may contain a unique signature or pattern, which may serve to uniquely identify the RFID tag. If the tag is associated with a device (e.g., by attachment or by incorporation into the device), then the unique identification of the tag can, by association, serve to uniquely identify the device.

Near field communication (NFC) is a technology that allows for secure wireless communication over short distances, typically in the range of inches. An exemplary application has been tested by Motorola and Mastercard, in which cellular phones are outfitted with NFC to allow for credit card payments using cellular phones.

Bluetooth™ technology is a specification for wireless networks which provides a means for devices to use radio waves to communicate over short distances. WiFi is a technology, based on radio waves, for operating wireless local area networks. WiFi can allow a device to access the Internet via hotspots. WiFi can also allow two devices to communicate with one another directly in peer-to-peer mode. Infrared data transmission can be used as a means of communication between two nearby devices. For example, an infrared light-emitting diode (LED) can be used to generate signals. The signal pattern can be created by switching the LED on and off. A receiver may include a silicon photodiode, which may convert incident infrared light into electrical signals. Infrared signals may also be transmitted with lasers.

A device may be recognized by means of a captured picture or image of the device. For example, a first device may take a picture of a second device. The first device may use image processing algorithms to detect salient features of the second device. For example, if the second device has a pattern of black and white stripes, then the first device may search for such a pattern within captured images.

One or more devices may use positioning technologies to determine their own location. Once the locations of two devices are known, simple algorithms may be used to determine whether the devices are close to one another or not. For example, the distances between two devices with known x and y coordinates can be at least approximated using the Pythagorean Theorem. Various positioning technologies may be used. For example, a device may receive a signal from a beacon or other signal generator of a known location. Particularly if the beacon has a short range, the device's position may be assumed to approximate the position of the beacon. In various embodiments, a device may receive signals from multiple beacons or signal generators. The signal generators may coordinate to transmit the signals simultaneously. However, depending on the device's location, the device will not necessarily receive the signals from all the beacons at the same time. For example, if the device is closer to beacon 1 than to beacon 2, the device will receive the signal from beacon 1 prior to receiving the signal from beacon 2. Based on the arrival times of signals from the various beacons, the device's location may be deduced. For example, geometric or trigonometric algorithms may be used to determine the location of the device based on the known locations of the beacons and based on the arrival times of simultaneously transmitted signals from the beacons. In an analogous fashion to systems involving beacons, positioning systems may make use of receivers at known locations (e.g., fixed receivers). The fixed receivers each receive a signal from the device about which a location is desired. The same signal from the device might arrive at the different receivers at different times, or from different angles. Based on the arrival times or angles of arrival of the signal at the various receivers, algorithms may be used to determine the location of the device. Exemplary positioning systems are as follows.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is based on a constellation of satellites which transmit reference signals to locations on earth. GPS receivers can pick up reference signals from multiple satellites and use the signals to determine a position and/or an altitude.

Long Range Navigation (LORAN) is a navigation based on earth-based radio transmitters. The location of a device can be estimated based on differences in arrival times at the device of signals from three or more transmitters.

Radiolocation using the cellular telephone network is a system whereby cellular base stations serve as fixed receivers. The signal from a cellular phone may be received at multiple base stations. The location of the cellular phone may be determined based on when a signal from the cellular phone was received at each of the base stations, based on the angle with which a signal from the cell phone was received at each of the base stations, and/or based on characteristic distortions in the cell phone signal that would indicate a particular location of origin of the signal.

A first device may emit an audio signal. The audio signal may consist of a distinct series of notes or pulses. A second device may pick up the audio signal using a microphone, for example. The second device may recognize the distinctive pattern of the audio signal and may thereby deduce the presence of the first device. In a similar fashion, the second device may emit an audio signal which may allow the first device to identify the second device.

A first device may recognize the presence of a second device from physical or electronic contact. For example, a first device may have a port where a second device can be docked. When docked, the second device may come into electrical contact with the first device. The first device may thereby recognize the presence of the second device and/or the second device may thereby recognize the presence of the first device.

There are various ways in which one or more devices may detect the presence of one or more other devices. There are various ways in the proximity of two devices may be determined. The underlying software and hardware in the first housing for the electronic gaming system is standard technology, and can be described in general know terms as follows.

The memory device stores program code and instructions, executable by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memory device also stores other data such as image data, event data, player input data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or information, House Ways distributions and applicable game rules that relate to the play of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes random access memory (RAM): which can include non-volatile RAM (NVRAM): magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and other forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry. In one embodiment, the memory device includes read only memory (ROM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes flash memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory may operate in conjunction with the gaming device disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating data described above can be stored in a detachable or removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM, DVD, or USB memory device.

In other embodiments, part or all of the program code and/or operating data described above can be downloaded to the memory device through a suitable network. In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a removable memory device in a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computing device, or another computerized platform to implement the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the gaming device or gaming machine disclosed herein is operable over a wireless network, for example part of a wireless gaming system. The gaming machine may be a hand-held device, a mobile device, or any other suitable wireless device that enables a player to play any suitable game at a variety of different locations. It should be appreciated that a gaming device or gaming machine as disclosed herein may be a device that has obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission or a device that has not obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission. It should be appreciated that the processor and memory device may be collectively referred to herein as a “processor” or “computer” or “controller” or “game controller.”

In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based on probability data. In one such embodiment, this random determination is provided through utilization of a random number generator (RNG), such as a true random number generator, a pseudo random number generator, or other suitable randomization process. In one embodiment, each award or other game outcome is associated with a probability and the gaming device generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to the player based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon one or more probability calculations, there is no certainty that the gaming device will ever provide the player with any specific award or other game outcome. It is also possible for templates or weighted templates of sets of tiles or paylines as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,159,096 and 6,117,009 (Yoseloff, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety) which disclose a method of configuring a video output gaming device to randomly generate game outcomes. The method includes the steps of selecting a set of game symbols, assigning a probability of occurrence to each symbol, selecting a plurality of outcome templates, each template comprising X variables, selecting a probability of occurrence for each outcome template, assigning a subset of symbols from the set of game symbols to each template for filling the positions, defining payouts for selected outcomes, and configuring a video output gaming device, which randomly selects a template, randomly selects a symbol for each variable in the template from the subset of game symbols assigned to the selected template, randomly fills at least a portion of the positions in the template and displays the outcome on a video output display. A video output gaming device programmed to randomly select a template, randomly select symbols to define the variables and randomly display the selected symbols is also disclosed.

In one embodiment, described in more detail below as a “chipless gaming platform”, the gaming device includes one or more display devices that are mounted into a gaming table surface and are controlled by the processor in addition to or separately from the individual player monitors. The display devices are preferably connected to or mounted into the table structure. This may include a central display device which displays a primary game, dealer images, jackpot information, or information that is not specifically related to the game, such as sports information or winning events at other tables. This display device may also display any suitable secondary game associated with the primary game as well as information relating to the primary or secondary game (e.g., side bets, bonuses, jackpots and the like).

An alternative embodiment may include a central horizontal game display device and a vertically oriented virtual dealer display device as in Shuffle Master, Inc.'s Table Master™ gaming system. The central display device may display the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated or not associated with the primary game and/or information relating to the primary or secondary game. These display devices may also serve as digital glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of the gaming establishment. The gaming device includes a credit display which displays a player's current number of credits, cash, account balance, or the equivalent. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a bet display displays a player's amount wagered. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the gaming device includes a player tracking display which displays information regarding a player's play tracking status.

In yet another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobile display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC that enables play of at least a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remote from the gaming device. The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), a display based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism.

In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable size and configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle. The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual, or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters, places, things, faces of cards, images of dealers and the like.

Other forms of the invention are in the form of game software that is implemented in a variety of formats, such as internet gaming, PC practice play, hand-held game devices, wireless gaming devices and the like.

Chipless Gaming Table Implementation

One enabling system useful in the practice of the present invention is the use of playing cards with Chinese domino symbols which can be distributed for use with a system marketed under the name i-TABLE™ by Shuffle Master, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nev. That system includes: a) a physical gaming table; b) player monitors at each player position; c) a playing card reading and delivery system (e.g., commercially available shufflers and playing card delivery shoes with reading capability as sold under the Trade names of One2Six™ shuffler, Ace™ shuffler, I-DEAL™ shuffler, I-SHOE™ delivery shoe, etc.); d) a processor receiving information (numbers of cards, rank of cards, suits of cards, etc.) from the card reading and delivery systems; e) communication connectivity (hardwired or wireless) between necessary combinations of the card reading/delivery systems and the processor, the processor and the individual player monitors, and/or the card reading/delivery systems and the video monitors; and f) software in the processor that defines predetermined advantage for distributions of playing cards into multiple hands, game rules, hand history, and the like.

With regard to software f), it is understood in the practice of the present technology that this is not complex software that reads individual player hand cards and determines advantageous card distributions for a first time by extensive calculations. Rather, the entire range of possibilities of hands (e.g., all possible five card sets dealt to players in poker-style games) are known in poker style games.

A preferable card handling device for administering a video reel-type-style game is a hand-forming shuffler with integrated card recognition technology, from which playing cards are supplied, with a least a rank/count (and preferable also suit) of individual packs of cards are known before the cards are removed and delivered to player positions and/or the dealer position. The card delivery system is in communication with the controller by wired or wireless communication methods. Communication between the various system components is not limited to electronic or electrical signals, but may include optical signals, audio signals, magnetic transmission or the like.

The individual player position processors (not shown) are preferable graphics processors and not full content CPUs as a cost saving, space saving, and efficiency benefit. With the reduced capacity in the processor as compared to a CPU, there is actually reduced likelihood of tampering and fraudulent input.

Turning next to FIG. 1, a video gaming machine 2 of the present invention is shown. Machine 2 includes a main cabinet 4, which generally surrounds the machine interior (not shown) and is viewable by users. The main cabinet includes a main door 8 on the front of the machine, which opens to provide access to the interior of the machine. Attached to the main door are player-input switches or buttons 32, a coin acceptor 28, and a bill validator 30, a coin tray 38, and a display area including a mechanical gaming system (or less preferably a separate electronic game) 40. There may be an overlay of touchscreen functionality on the separate electronic game 40 or some of the buttons 32 may be functional on the separate mechanical gaming system 40. That separate mechanical gaming system may be in a relatively vertical viewing position as shown or in a more horizontal (table like) display unit. Viewable through the main door is a video display monitor 34 (which is here an attached PEST system that can be removed for distal control of the electronic gaming machine 2) and an information panel 36 (which here may be a secondary control panel that is effectively disengaged when the PEST system is removed). The display monitor 34 will typically be a cathode ray tube, high resolution flat-panel LCD, LED, plasma screen or other conventional electronically controlled video monitor as part of the detachable PEST system. The information panel 36 may be aback-lit, silk screened glass panel with lettering to indicate general game information including, for example, a game denomination (e.g. $0.25 or $1). The bill validator 30, player-input switches 32, video display monitor 34, and information panel are devices used to play a game on the game machine 2. The devices are controlled by circuitry (e.g. the aster gaming controller) housed inside the main cabinet 4 of the machine 2.

Many different types of games, including mechanical slot games, video slot games, video poker, video black jack, video pachinko and lottery, may be provided with gaming machines of this invention. In particular, the gaming machine 2 may be operable to provide a play of many different instances of games of chance. The instances may be differentiated according to themes, sounds, graphics, type of game (e.g., slot game vs. card game), denomination, number of paylines, maximum jackpot, progressive or non-progressive, bonus games, etc. The gaming machine 2 may be operable to allow a player to select a game of chance to play from a plurality of instances available on the gaming machine. For example, the gaming machine may provide a menu with a list of the instances of games that are available for play on the gaming machine and a player may be able to select from the list a first instance of a game of chance that they wish to play.

The various instances of games available for play on the gaming machine 2 may be stored as game software on a mass storage device in the gaming machine or may be generated on a remote gaming device but then displayed on the gaming machine. The gaming machine 2 may executed game software, such as but not limited to video streaming software that allows the game to be displayed on the gaming machine. When an instance is stored on the gaming machine 2, it may be loaded from the mass storage device into a RAM for execution. In some cases, after a selection of an instance, the game software that allows the selected instance to be generated may be downloaded from a remote gaming device, such as another gaming machine.

The gaming machine 2 includes a top box 6, which sits on top of the main cabinet 4. The top box 6 houses a number of devices, which may be used to add features to a game being played on the gaming machine 2, including speakers 10, 12, 14, a ticket printer 18 which prints bar-coded tickets 20, a key pad 22 for entering player tracking information, a florescent display 16 for displaying player tracking information, a card reader 24 for entering a magnetic striped card containing player tracking information, and a video display screen 42. The ticket printer 18 may be used to print tickets for a cashless ticketing system. Further, the top box 6 may house different or additional devices than shown in the FIG. 1. For example, the top box may contain a bonus wheel or a back-lit silk screened panel which may be used to add bonus features to the game being played on the gaming machine. As another example, the top box may contain a display for a progressive jackpot offered on the gaming machine. During a game, these devices are controlled and powered, in part, by circuitry (e.g. a master gaming controller) housed within the main cabinet 4 of the machine 2.

Understand that gaming machine 2 is but one example from a wide range of gaming machine designs on which the present invention may be implemented. For example, not all suitable gaming machines have top boxes or player tracking features. Further, some gaming machines have only a single game display—mechanical or video, while others are designed for bar tables and have displays that face upwards. As another example, a game may be generated in on a host computer and may be displayed on a remote terminal or a remote gaining device. The remote gaming device may be connected to the host computer via a network of some type such as a local area network, a wide area network, an intranet or the Internet. The remote gaming device may be a portable gaming device such as but not limited to a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, and a wireless game player. Images rendered from 3-D gaming environments may be displayed on portable gaming devices that are used to play a game of chance. Further a gaming machine or server may include gaming logic for commanding a remote gaming device to render an image from a virtual camera in a 3-D gaming environments stored on the remote gaming device and to display the rendered image on a display located on the remote gaming device. Thus, those of skill in the art will understand that the present invention, as described below, can be deployed on most any gaming machine now available or hereafter developed.

Some preferred gaming machines are implemented with special features and/or additional circuitry that differentiates them from general-purpose computers (e.g., desktop PC's and laptops). Gaming machines are highly regulated to ensure fairness and, in many cases, gaming machines are operable to dispense monetary awards of multiple millions of dollars. Therefore, to satisfy security and regulatory requirements in a gaming environment, hardware and software architectures may be implemented in gaming machines that differ significantly from those of general-purpose computers. A description of gaming machines relative to general-purpose computing machines and some examples of the additional (or different) components and features found in gaming machines are described below.

At first glance, one might think that adapting PC technologies to the gaming industry would be a simple proposition because both PCs and gaming machines employ microprocessors that control a variety of devices. However, because of such reasons as 1) the regulatory requirements that are placed upon gaming machines, 2) the harsh environment in which gaming machines operate, 3) security requirements and 4) fault tolerance requirements, adapting PC technologies to a gaming machine can be quite difficult. Further, techniques and methods for solving a problem in the PC industry, such as device compatibility and connectivity issues, might not be adequate in the gaming environment. For instance, a fault or a weakness tolerated in a PC, such as security holes in software or frequent crashes, may not be tolerated in a gaming machine because in a gaming machine these faults can lead to a direct loss of funds from the gaming machine, such as stolen cash or loss of revenue when the gaming machine is not operating properly.

For the purposes of illustration, a few differences between PC systems and gaming systems will be described. A first difference between gaming machines and common PC based computers systems is that gaming machines are designed to be state-based systems. In a state-based system, the system stores and maintains its current state in anon-volatile memory, such that, in the event of a power failure or other malfunction the gaming machine will return to its current state when the power is restored. For instance, if a player was shown an award for a game of chance and, before the award could be provided to the player the power failed, the gaming machine, upon the restoration of power, would return to the state where the award is indicated. As anyone who has used a PC, knows, PCs are not state machines and a majority of data is usually lost when a malfunction occurs. This requirement affects the software and hardware design on a gaming machine.

A second important difference between gaming machines and common PC based computer systems is that for regulation purposes, the software on the gaming machine used to generate the game of chance and operate the gaming machine has been designed to be static and monolithic to prevent cheating by the operator of gaming machine. For instance, one solution that has been employed in the gaming industry to prevent cheating and satisfy regulatory requirements has been to manufacture a gaming machine that can use a proprietary processor running instructions to generate the game of chance from an EPROM or other form of non-volatile memory. The coding instructions on the EPROM are static (non-changeable) and must be approved by a gaming regulators in a particular jurisdiction and installed in the presence of a person representing the gaming jurisdiction. Any changes to any part of the software required to generate the game of chance, such as adding a new device driver used by the master gaming controller to operate a device during generation of the game of chance can require a new EPROM to be burnt, approved by the gaming jurisdiction and reinstalled on the gaming machine in the presence of a gaming regulator. Regardless of whether the EPROM solution is used, to gain approval in most gaming jurisdictions, a gaming machine must demonstrate sufficient safeguards that prevent an operator or player of a gaming machine from manipulating hardware and software in a manner that gives them an unfair and some cases an illegal advantage. The gaming machine should have a means to determine if the code it will execute is valid. If the code is not valid, the gaming machine must have a means to prevent the code from being executed. The code validation requirements in the gaming industry affect both hardware and software designs on gaming machines.

A third important difference between gaming machines and common PC based computer systems is the number and kinds of peripheral devices used on a gaming machine are not as great as on PC based computer systems. Traditionally, in the gaming industry, gaming machines have been relatively simple in the sense that the number of peripheral devices and the number of functions the gaming machine has been limited. Further, in operation, the functionality of gaming machines were relatively constant once the gaming machine was deployed, i.e., new peripherals devices and new gaining software were infrequently added to the gaming machine. This differs from a PC where users will go out and buy different combinations of devices and software from different manufacturers and connect them to a PC to suit their needs depending on a desired application. Therefore, the types of devices connected to a PC may vary greatly from user to user depending in their individual requirements and may vary significantly over time.

Although the variety of devices available for a PC may be greater than on a gaming machine, gaming machines still have unique device requirements that differ from a PC, such as device security requirements not usually addressed by PCs. For instance, monetary devices, such as coin dispensers, bill validators and ticket printers and computing devices that are used to govern the input and output of cash to a gaining machine have security requirements that are not typically addressed in PCs. Therefore, many PC techniques and methods developed to facilitate device connectivity and device compatibility do not address the emphasis placed on security in the gaming industry.

To address some of the issues described above, a number of hardware/software components and architectures are utilized in gaming machines that are not typically found in general purpose computing devices, such as PCs. These hardware/software components and architectures, as described below in more detail, include hut are not limited to watchdog timers, voltage monitoring systems, state-based software architecture and supporting hardware, specialized communication interfaces, security monitoring and trusted memory.

A watchdog timer is normally used in gaming machines to provide a software failure detection mechanism. In a normally operating system, the operating software periodically accesses control registers in the watchdog timer subsystem to “re-trigger” the watchdog. Should the operating software fail to access the control registers within a preset timeframe, the watchdog timer will timeout and generate a system reset. Typical watchdog timer circuits contain a loadable timeout counter register to allow the operating software to set the timeout interval within a certain range of time. A differentiating feature of the some preferred circuits is that the operating software cannot completely disable the function of the watchdog timer. In other words, the watchdog timer always functions from the time power is applied to the board.

Gaming computer platforms preferably use several power supply voltages to operate portions of the computer circuitry. These can be generated in a central power supply or locally on the computer board. If any of these voltages falls out of the tolerance limits of the circuitry they power, unpredictable operation of the computer may result. Though most modem general-purpose computers include voltage monitoring circuitry, these types of circuits only report voltage status to the operating software. Out of tolerance voltages can cause software malfunction, creating a potential uncontrolled condition in the gaming computer. Gaming machines typically have power supplies with tighter voltage margins than that required by the operating circuitry. In addition, the voltage monitoring circuitry implemented in gaming computers typically has two thresholds of control. The first threshold generates a software event that can be detected by the operating software and an error condition generated. This threshold is triggered when a power supply voltage falls out of the tolerance range of the power supply, but is still within the operating range of the circuitry. The second threshold is set when a power supply voltage falls out of the operating tolerance of the circuitry. In this case, the circuitry generates a reset, halting operation of the computer.

The standard method of operation for slot machine game software is to use a state machine. Different functions of the game (bet, play, result, points in the graphical presentation, etc.) may be defined as a state. When a game moves from one state to another, critical data regarding the game software is stored in a custom non-volatile memory subsystem. This is critical to ensure the player's wager and credits are preserved and to minimize potential disputes in the event of a malfunction on the gaming machine.

In general, the gaming machine does not advance from a first state to a second state until critical information that allows the first state to be reconstructed is stored. This feature allows the game to recover operation to the current state of play in the event of a malfunction, loss of power, etc. that occurred just prior to the malfunction. After the state of the gaming machine is restored during the play of a game of chance, game play may resume and the game may be completed in a manner that is no different than if the malfunction had not occurred. Typically, battery backed RAM devices are used to preserve this critical data although other types of non-volatile memory devices may be employed. These memory devices are not used in typical general-purpose computers.

As described in the preceding paragraph, when a malfunction occurs during a game of chance, the gaming machine may be restored to a state in the game of chance just prior to when the malfunction occurred. The restored state may include metering information and graphical information that was displayed on the gaming machine in the state prior to the malfunction. For example, when the malfunction occurs during the play of a card game after the cards have been dealt, the gaming machine may be restored with the cards that were previously displayed as part of the card game. As another example, a bonus game may be triggered during the play of a game of chance where a player is required to make a number of selections on a video display screen. When a malfunction has occurred after the player has made one or more selections, the gaming machine may be restored to a state that shows the graphical presentation at the just prior to the malfunction including an indication of selections that have already been made by the player. In general, the gaming machine may be restored to any state in a plurality of states that occur in the game of chance that occurs while the game of chance is played or to states that occur between the play of a game of chance.

Game history information regarding previous games played such as an amount wagered, the outcome of the game and so forth may also be stored in a non-volatile memory device. The information stored in the non-volatile memory may be detailed enough to reconstruct a portion of the graphical presentation that was previously presented on the gaming machine and the state of the gaming machine (e.g., credits) at the time the game of chance was played. The game history information may be utilized in the event of a dispute. For example, a player may decide that in a previous game of chance that they did not receive credit for an award that they believed they won. The game history information may be used to reconstruct the state of the gaming machine prior, during and/or after the disputed game to demonstrate whether the player was correct or not in their assertion.

Another feature of gaming machines, such as gaming computers, is that they often contain unique interfaces, including serial interfaces, to connect to specific subsystems internal and external to the slot machine. The serial devices may have electrical interface requirements that differ from the “standard” EIA 232 serial interfaces provided by general-purpose computers. These interfaces may include EIA 485, EIA 422, Fiber Optic Serial, optically coupled serial interfaces, current loop style serial interfaces, etc. In addition, to conserve serial interfaces internally in the slot machine, serial devices may be connected in a shared, daisy-chain fashion where multiple peripheral devices are connected to a single serial channel.

The serial interfaces may be used to transmit information using communication protocols that are unique to the gaming industry. For example, the Netplex™ system of IGT is a proprietary communication protocol used for serial communication between gaming devices. As another example, SAS is a communication protocol used to transmit information, such as metering information, from a gaming machine to a remote device. Often SAS is used in conjunction with a player tracking system.

Gaming machines may alternatively be treated as peripheral devices to a casino communication controller and connected in a shared daisy chain fashion to a single serial interface. In both cases, the peripheral devices are preferably assigned device addresses. If so, the serial controller circuitry must implement a method to generate or detect unique device addresses. General-purpose computer serial ports are not able to do this.

Security monitoring circuits detect intrusion into a gaming machine by monitoring security switches attached to access doors in the slot machine cabinet. Preferably, access violations result in suspension of game play and can trigger additional security operations to preserve the current state of game play. These circuits also function when power is off by use of a battery backup. In power-off operation, these circuits continue to monitor the access doors of the slot machine. When power is restored, the gaming machine can determine whether any security violations occurred while power was off, e.g., via software for reading status registers. This can trigger event log entries and further data authentication operations by the slot machine software.

Trusted memory devices are preferably included in a gaining machine computer to ensure the authenticity of the software that may be stored on less secure memory subsystems, such as mass storage devices. Trusted memory devices and controlling circuitry are typically designed to not allow modification of the code and data stored in the memory device while the memory device is installed in the slot machine. The code and data stored in these devices may include authentication algorithms, random number generators, authentication keys, operating system kernels, etc. The purpose of these trusted Memory devices is to provide gaming regulatory authorities a root trusted authority within the computing environment of the slot machine that can be tracked and verified as original. This may be accomplished via removal of the trusted memory device from the slot machine computer and verification of the secure memory device contents is a separate third party verification device. Once the trusted memory device is verified as authentic, and based on the approval of the verification algorithms contained in the trusted device, the gaming machine is allowed to verify the authenticity of additional code and data that may be located in the gaming computer assembly, such as code and data stored on hard disk drives. A few details related to trusted memory devices that may be used in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,567 titled “Process Verification,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

Mass storage devices used in a general purpose computer typically allow code and data to be read from and written to the mass storage device. In a gaming machine environment, modification of the gaming code stored on a mass storage device is strictly controlled and would only be allowed under specific maintenance type events with electronic and physical enablers required. Though this level of security could be provided by software, gaming computers that include mass storage devices preferably include hardware level mass storage data protection circuitry that operates at the circuit level to monitor attempts to modify data on the mass storage device and will generate both software and hardware error triggers should a data modification be attempted without the proper electronic and physical enablers being present.

Returning to the example of FIG. 1, when a user wishes to play the gaming machine 2, he or she inserts cash through the coin acceptor 28 or bill validator 30. Additionally, the bill validator may accept a printed ticket voucher which may be accepted by the bill validator 30 as an indicia of credit when a cashless ticketing system is used. At the start of the game, the player may enter playing tracking information using the card reader 24, the keypad 22, and the florescent display 16. Further, other game preferences of the player playing the game may be read from a card inserted into the card reader. During the game, the player views game information using the video display 34 (which in this case is the PEST system embedded in the housing). Other game and prize information may also be displayed in the video display screen 42 located in the top box.

During the course of a game, a player may be required to make a number of decisions, which affect the outcome of the game. For example, a player may vary his or her wager on a particular game, select a prize for a particular game selected from a prize server, or make game decisions which affect the outcome of a particular game. The player may make these choices using the player-input switches 32, the video display screen 34 (which in this case is the PEST system embedded in the housing) or using some other device which enables a player to input information into the gaming machine. In some embodiments, the player may be able to access various game services such as concierge services and entertainment content services using the video display screen 34 (which in this case is the PEST system embedded in the housing) and one more input devices.

During certain game events, the gaming machine 2 may display visual and auditory effects that can be perceived by the player. These effects add to the excitement of a game, which makes a player more likely to continue playing. Auditory effects include various sounds that are projected by the speakers 10, 12, 14. Visual effects include flashing lights, strobing lights or other patterns displayed from lights on the gaming machine 2 or from lights within the separate mechanical (or electronic) separately, individually wagerable gaming system 40. After the player has completed a game, the player may receive game tokens from the coin tray 38 or the ticket 20 from the printer 18, which may be used for further games or to redeem a prize. Further, the player may receive a ticket 20 for food, merchandise, or games from the printer 18.

Another gaming network that may be used to implement some aspects of the invention is depicted in FIG. 1A. Gaming establishment 1001 could be any sort of gaming establishment, such as a casino, a card room, an airport, a store, etc. In this example, gaming network 1077 includes more than one gaming establishment, all of which are networked to game server 1022. Here, gaming machine 1002, and the other gaming machines 1030, 1032, 1034, and 1036, include a main cabinet 1006 and a top box 1004. The main cabinet 1006 houses the main gaming elements and can also house peripheral systems, such as those that utilize dedicated gaming networks. The top box 1004 may also be used to house these peripheral systems.

The master gaming controller 1008 controls the game play on the gaming machine 1002 according to instructions and/or game data from game server 1022 or stored within gaming machine 1002 and receives or sends data to various input/output devices 1011 on the gaming machine 1002. In one embodiment, master gaming controller 1008 includes processor(s) and other apparatus of the gaming machines described above. The master gaming controller 1008 may also communicate with a display 1010.

A particular gaming entity may desire to provide network gaming services that provide some operational advantage. Thus, dedicated networks may connect gaming machines to host servers that track the performance of gaming machines under the control of the entity, such as for accounting management, electronic fund transfers (EFTs), cashless ticketing, such as EZPay™ marketing management, and data tracking, such as player tracking. Therefore, master gaming controller 1008 may also communicate with EFT system 1012, EZPay™ system, and player tracking system 1020. The systems of the gaming machine 1002 communicate the data onto the network 1022 via a communication board 1018.

It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that embodiments of the present invention could be implemented on a network with more or fewer elements than are depicted in FIG. 1A. For example, player tracking system 1020 is not a necessary feature of some implementations of the present invention. However, player tracking programs may help to sustain a game player's interest in additional game play during a visit to a gaming establishment and may entice a player to visit a gaming establishment to partake in various gaming activities. Player tracking programs provide rewards to players that typically correspond to the player's level of patronage (e.g., to the player's playing frequency and/or total amount of game plays at a given casino). Player tracking rewards may be free meals, free lodging and/or free entertainment. Player tracking information may be combined with other information that is now readily obtainable by an SBG system.

Moreover, DCU 1024 and translator 1025 are not required for all gaming establishments 1001. However, due to the sensitive nature of much of the information on a gaming network (e.g., electronic fund transfers and player tracking data) the manufacturer of a host system usually employs a particular networking language having proprietary protocols. For instance, 10-20 different companies produce player tracking host systems where each host system may use different protocols. These proprietary protocols are usually considered highly confidential and not released publicly.

Further, gaming machines are made by many different manufacturers. The communication protocols on the gaming machine are typically hard-wired into the gaming machine and each gaming machine manufacturer may utilize a different proprietary communication protocol. A gaming machine manufacturer may also produce host systems, in which case their gaming machines are compatible with their own host systems. However, in a heterogeneous gaming environment, gaming machines from different manufacturers, each with its own communication protocol, may be connected to host systems from other manufacturers, each with another communication protocol. Therefore, communication compatibility issues regarding the protocols used by the gaming machines in the system and protocols used by the host systems must be considered.

A network device that links a gaming establishment with another gaming establishment and/or a central system will sometimes be referred to herein as a “site controller.” Here, site controller 1042 provides this function for gaming establishment 1001. Site controller 1042 is connected to a central system and/or other gaming establishments via one or more networks, which may be public or private networks. Among other things, site controller 1042 communicates with game server 1022 to obtain game data, such as ball drop data, bingo card data, etc.

In the present illustration, gaming machines 1002, 1030, 1032, 1034 and 1036 are connected to a dedicated gaming network 1022. In general, the DCU 1024 functions as an intermediary between the different gaming machines on the network 1022 and the site controller 1042. In general, the DCU 1024 receives data transmitted from the gaming machines and sends the data to the site controller 1042 over a transmission path 1026. In some instances, when the hardware interface used by the gaming machine is not compatible with site controller 1042, a translator 1025 may be used to convert serial data from the DCU 1024 to a format accepted by site controller 1042. The translator may provide this conversion service to a plurality of DCUs.

Further, in some dedicated gaming networks, the DCU 1024 can receive data transmitted from site controller 1042 for communication to the gaming machines on the gaming network. The received data may be, for example, communicated synchronously to the gaming machines on the gaming network.

Here, CVT 1052 provides cashless and cashout gaming services to the gaming machines in gaming establishment 1001. Broadly speaking, CVT 1052 authorizes and validates cashless gaming machine instruments (also referred to herein as “tickets” or “vouchers”), including but not limited to tickets for causing a gaming machine to display a game result and cash-out tickets. Moreover, CVT 1052 authorizes the exchange of a cashout ticket for cash. These processes will be described in detail below. In one example, when a player attempts to redeem a cash-out ticket for cash at cashout kiosk 1044, cash out kiosk 1044 reads validation data from the cashout ticket and transmits the validation data to CVT 1052 for validation. The tickets may be printed by gaming machines, by cashout kiosk 1044, by a stand-alone printer, by CVT 1052, etc. Some gaming establishments will not have a cashout kiosk 1044. Instead, a cashout ticket could be redeemed for cash by a cashier (e.g. of a convenience store), by a gaming machine or by a specially configured CVT.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a network device that may be configured for implementing some methods of the present invention. Network device 1160 includes a master central processing unit (CPU) 1162, interfaces 1168, and a bus 1167 (e.g., a PCI bus). Generally, interfaces 1168 include ports 1169 appropriate for communication with the appropriate media. In some embodiments, one or more of interfaces 1168 includes at least one independent processor and, in some instances, volatile RAM. The independent processors may be, for example, ASICs or any other appropriate processors. According to some such embodiments, these independent processors perform at least some of the functions of the logic described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of interfaces 1168 control such communications-intensive tasks as encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, packetization, media control and management. By providing separate processors for the communications-intensive tasks, interfaces 1168 allow the master microprocessor 1162 efficiently to perform other functions such as routing computations, network diagnostics, security functions, etc.

The interfaces 1168 are typically provided as interface cards (sometimes referred to as “linecards”). Generally, interfaces 1168 control the sending and receiving of data packets over the network and sometimes support other peripherals used with the network device 1160. Among the interfaces that may be provided are FC interfaces, Ethernet interfaces, frame relay interfaces, cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces, and the like. In addition, various very high-speed interfaces may be provided, such as fast Ethernet interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, ATM interfaces, HSSI interfaces, POS interfaces, FDDI interfaces, ASI interfaces, DHEI interfaces and the like.

When acting under the control of appropriate software or firmware, in some implementations of the invention CPU 1162 may be responsible for implementing specific functions associated with the functions of a desired network device. According to some embodiments, CPU 1162 accomplishes all these functions under the control of software including an operating system and any appropriate applications software.

CPU 1162 may include one or more processors 1163 such as a processor from the Motorola family of microprocessors or the MIPS family of microprocessors. In an alternative embodiment, processor 1163 is specially designed hardware for controlling the operations of network device 1160. In a specific embodiment, a memory 1161 (such as non-volatile RAM and/or ROM) also forms part of CPU 1162. However, there are many different ways in which memory could be coupled to the system. Memory block 1161 may be used for a variety of purposes such as, for example, caching and/or storing data, programming instructions, etc.

Regardless of network device's configuration, it may employ one or more memories or memory modules (such as, for example, memory block 1165) configured to store data, program instructions for the general-purpose network operations and/or other information relating to the functionality of the techniques described herein. The program instructions may control the operation of an operating system and/or one or more applications, for example.

Because such information and program instructions may be employed to implement the systems/methods described herein, the present invention relates to machine-readable media that include program instructions, state information, etc. for performing various operations described herein. Examples of machine-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical media; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The invention may also be embodied in a carrier wave traveling over an appropriate medium such as airwaves, optical lines, electric lines, etc. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter.

Although the system shown in FIG. 1B illustrates one specific network device of the present invention, it is by no means the only network device architecture on which the present invention can be implemented. For example, an architecture having a single processor that handles communications as well as routing computations, etc. is often used. Further, other types of interfaces and media could also be used with the network device. The communication path between interfaces may be bus based (as shown in FIG. 1B) or switch fabric based (such as a cross-bar).

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an electronic gaming machine 2 on which the present technology may be practiced. The numbered elements in FIG. 2 are representative of same elements in FIG. 1, with the additional underlying display screen 34 a shown beneath the removed first display screen (PEST system 34). 

What is claimed:
 1. An electronic gaming system comprising: a first housing; a first video screen; a first processor with a game controller within the first housing; first player input controls attached to the first housing; wherein the first video screen is removable from the housing and the first video screen, when detached contains a second processor in communication with the first processor and game controller within the housing, the second processor configured to communicate gaming instructions to effect play of a wagering game through the first processor.
 2. The electronic gaming system of claim 1 wherein the first video screen and second processor are within a second housing that exercises sole control over gaming on the first processor when the second housing is detached from the first housing.
 3. The electronic gaming system of claim 1 wherein a second video screen is fixed on the first housing and indicates that distal control of the system is being performed.
 4. The electronic gaming system of claim 1 wherein the first video screen comprises touchscreen input controls and the second processor is in wireless communication with the first processor.
 5. The electronic gaming system of claim 4 wherein input from the touchscreen input controls and the second processor direct wager amounts used in game play on the first processor.
 6. The electronic gaming system of claim 5 wherein input from the touchscreen input controls and the second processor direct game activity on the first processor and game controller.
 7. The electronic gaming system of claim 5 wherein input from the touchscreen input controls and the second processor exclusively direct game activity on the first processor and game controller.
 8. The electronic gaming system of claim 5 wherein the first video screen is detachable only by authorization through a gaming establishment central processor.
 9. The electronic gaming system of claim 8 wherein the authorization includes recognition gaming establishment central processor. of a specific player identification within the gaming establishment central processor.
 10. The electronic gaming system of claim 6 wherein the first video screen is detachable only by authorization through a gaming establishment central processor.
 11. The electronic gaming system of claim 10 wherein the authorization includes recognition gaming establishment central processor of a specific player identification within the gaming establishment central processor.
 12. A method of playing a wagering game on the electronic gaming system of claim 1 comprising: a) removing the first video display from the first housing; b) inputting game activity directions through the second player input control on the removed video display; c) the game controller responding to input game activity directions to the first processor in the first housing from the second player input control; and d) the first processor sending game resolution information to the second processor. 